I am at the final boss by now (that plot twist :O).
Havent found the shiny carrot, no cleu where it is.
at the place where the fan character is I cant get any higher and there doesnt seem to be anything else in the desert.
final boss is harsh sicne he one shots me basically.and it becomes a matter of luck who stun locks whom.
PS: my complaining bout the mountan difficulty hwas premature.The castle rooms are where stuff gets really harsh! :O